Child Custody

Divorce With Kids in North Carolina: What You Need to Know

Published on: June 10, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Divorce With Kids in North Carolina: What You Need to Know

The decision to end your marriage is never an easy one and is especially difficult when you have children. It is estimated that about half of all divorces involve children under the age of 18. When you have children, you likely face a few issues that those without children do not have to handle. While divorce with kids can be a bit more complicated, it does not mean that you have to have a stressful or difficult uncoupling. There are some things to understand about divorce with kids that will help you navigate the process.

Child Custody

What Happens if a Parent Fails to Pay Child Support?

Published on: June 5, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What Happens if a Parent Fails to Pay Child Support?

Children are born to two parents. Regardless of whether parents stay together or split up, they must provide for their kids. In North Carolina, both parents are supposed to ensure that they pay for the basic needs of their children. Often, the children live primarily with one parent while the other parent has regular visitation. The non-custodial parent generally pays child support. Many people wonder what happens if a parent fails to pay child support.

Court-Ordered Child Support

What is Beta Parenting?

Published on: May 27, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What is Beta Parenting?

There are many types of parenting styles and various names to describe them. You have probably heard of helicopter parenting, free-range parenting, lighthouse parenting, tiger moms, and others. These parenting styles are generally part of broader categories of authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved. One of the latest trends is called beta parenting. Parenting styles can impact your child, and differing styles can affect your marriage.

What is Beta Parenting?

Child Custody and Parenting Time in North Carolina

Published on: April 15, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Child Custody and Parenting Time in North Carolina

When parents choose to divorce, there are many consequential decisions that they must make. Of these, the most significant decisions are those that impact the children. It is helpful to have a good basic understanding of child custody and parenting time options in North Carolina. Typically, a child will reside primarily with one parent, while the other parent has regular visitation or parenting time.

Types of Child Custody

How Harmful are Parental Arguments to Children?

Published on: March 11, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

How Harmful are Parental Arguments to Children?

All spouses have disagreements or argue from time to time. It’s normal to have minor issues that you need to resolve with each other. However, when the arguments become more frequent or more complex, it may be a symptom of a breakdown in the relationship. Whether during the marriage, separation, or after divorce, arguing in front of the children can have a profoundly negative impact on their well-being and on their overall development.

What are the Risks to Children?

Parallel Parenting vs. Co-Parenting: Which is Best?

Published on: February 18, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Parallel Parenting vs. Co-Parenting: Which is Best?

Almost half of all children in the United States will be affected by divorce during their childhoods. Divorce presents a number of challenges and adjustments for families. Parents need to learn how to provide the love and care their children need, even without a partner. Many parents share the custody of their children, and both must forge a new path for their family. There are different types of parenting models. Parallel parenting is a common choice, but what happens if that parenting model doesn’t work for your situation? You may need to learn about an alternative option.

Co-Parenting is a Common Parenting Model

Child Custody Case: Tips for Success

Published on: February 11, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Child Custody Case: Tips for Success

Child custody is often one of the most significant disputes that takes place during or following divorce. North Carolina courts typically presume that both parents are equally able to care for their children and may allow joint or shared legal and physical custody. Shared parenting is often the best solution, but there are times when one parent seeks full custody. This may lead to an ugly court battle where both parents wish to control custody of their child. When a custody dispute occurs, it is essential to understand your rights as well as options for how to proceed with the case. This is likely an emotional time, and it is helpful to seek guidance from an experienced attorney.

Maintain Visitation

Relocating With Your Child After Divorce

Published on: February 4, 2026 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Relocating With Your Child After Divorce

Moving to a new state is something that may be an opportunity after divorce. It is estimated that every year about 8 million people relocate to a different state. If you are a parent, you need to know the process for seeking relocation with your child. There are legal steps you must take in order to relocate out of state with your child after divorce. If you ignore the rules, you could face penalties, including the possibility of criminal charges. It is helpful to know what you need to do to relocate with your child.

How Custody Impacts Relocation Requests

Who Gets the Kids on Christmas Morning?

Published on: December 16, 2025 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Who Gets the Kids on Christmas Morning?

The holidays are supposed to be magical, especially for kids. However, for separated or divorced parents in North Carolina, Christmas can bring unexpected stress, confusion, and conflict.

Most custody orders don’t spell out every holiday detail, and when December arrives, parents often find themselves asking questions no one warned them about:

Five Tips for Co-Parenting Through the Holidays

Published on: November 19, 2025 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Five Tips for Co-Parenting Through the Holidays

The holiday season is one of joy and celebration, especially for children. You want to do everything you can to make the holidays fun and memorable. Now is the time to put aside your problems and take steps to improve your co-parenting skills. As you approach the season, here are five tips for better and more successful co-parenting.

Call a Truce